THE GIRL IS MINE

THE BAD NEWS

Isabella's Point of View

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Stella woke me up from sleep last night with her call after Steve must have left, narrating everything that transpired between both of them. She was actually crying on the phone while narrating, and today they were lovey-dovey all around the place, not letting go of each other. I don't really know what to think of those two. Today was a success. I didn't catch a glimpse of Bridget and her crew, but I was disappointed that Jake didn't show up. So I will be going over to Jake's place as I had concluded yesterday. I decided to sneak out of the school compound so that Stella and the guys wouldn't see me because they would insist on giving me a ride home and I didn't want them to know I was going to Jake's place because they might kick against it. After successfully sneaking out of the compound, I made my way towards Jake's place. I arrived at his place just in time. When I rang the doorbell, the door opened, revealing his mother's face.

"Hi Mrs.Leo,"

"What a surprise to see you, Isabella," she said with a huge smile on her face. "It's been a long time since I saw this face," she said, holding my face in her palms, smiling sweetly.

"But you saw this face last week."

"Is that not a long time to miss my daughter-in-law?" she asked. I blushed at her mention of my daughter-in-law. That's what she calls me most of the time.

"Come, daughter-in-law. I have something to show you," she said as she gripped my hand, pulling me towards the kitchen. "It's a new recipe I found," she said excitedly. I really love this woman and love spending time with her. She is fun to be with. I am always with her every two days, but haven't come to see her for some days now because of what I have been going through. I watched in admiration as she does what she knows to do best. She has taught me some recipes.

"Is Jake in?" I asked.

"No"

" But he wasn't in school. Where else could he be?" I asked curiously. Mrs. Leo looked at me and I saw a flash of pain and sadness, which she quickly replaced with a fake smile. "What is the problem, Mrs Leo?" I asked. I understood her too well to know that all wasn't okay.

"He went far away from home."

"What do you mean, far away from home?"

" He has traveled out of the country. It's not going to be a routine to wake up every morning to see my son anymore," she said.

"When will he be back?"

"I don't know. He left in a rage as a result of his dad and me trying to seek the issue between you two," she said with grief. I felt sorry for her. She lost her son's constant presence just for my sake. I was so heartbroken. I knew it was over; there was no longer any hope of us. Jake has succeeded in hurting me a second time. I felt a throbbing headache, and it seemed to me like the house was in motion. The pain I felt was unbearable. I then closed my eyes to see if the dizziness would seize.

"Are you alright?" Mrs Leo asked.

"Yes, I am," I lied.

"Are you sure you are alright?" she asked, coming closer.

"Yes, I am. I should be on my way now," I said, and stood up in preparation to leave.

"So soon?"

"I would have loved to spend more time with you, but I have something to attend to."

"I can't hold you back since you said you have something to attend to, but please do come back sometime later," she said.

"I will," I said, hugging her.

"Bye!" I waved at her as I walked out.

"Alright dear," I said. Coming out of the house was like coming out of a prison. I had to bottle up my emotions there for the sake of Mrs. Leo. I didn't want to spoil her good mood. I was angry at Stiles for lying to me. He hurt me too, and that made him not so different from Jake. I decided to go home before heading to his place. I went home and freshened up. Then I headed out for Stiles' place.

"Bella baby, where are you going?" mom exclaimed from the kitchen as she stepped out.

"I will be back soon," I shouted back. When I arrived at Stiles' house, his mother took care of me.

"Hello, Mrs. Wilfred," I said, putting on a fake smile.

"Hi Isabell."

"Is Stiles in?"

"No, he is not back yet." Is anything wrong?" she asked.

"No," I replied.

"Alright then, I will let him know you were here when he comes back."

"There would be no need for that. I will be back later. "

"Alright dear," she said. I made my way back home in tears.

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Stiles Point of View

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I am currently in my room with Dave. We are chilling out together.

" Dave, you never bothered to tell us about your little adventure with the red-haired girl. How was it?" l asked.

“I wasn’t even planning on ever telling you guys if you hadn't brought it up.”

"Why? You know, that is against our friendship code. Keeping secrets "

"Yeah, I know. I did that because there was no adventure. She didn't show up." I couldn't hold back the laughter. " You see why I didn't want to talk about it. Anyway, laugh on," he said, standing up to leave, but the door flung open before he could get a grip on the door handle, hitting him hard so that he fell to the ground. That only made me laugh harder. He groaned in pain as he tried to stand on his feet.

"Come help me up, man," he said. Standing before us was Isabell. I moved over to help Dave up.

"Hi Isabell, You left school for home without notifying anyone," I said, focusing my attention on Dave as I lifted him up, but there was no response from her. I looked over at her to find her glaring at me. She was angry. I haven't seen her in this kind of mood before. What could be wrong?

"Isabell, what is the matter?" I asked.

"I never knew you were such a pathetic liar," she spat in anger.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

“ Don't play dumb with me, Stiles. Everything you told me concerning Jake yesterday was a lie. You actually lied to me," she screamed as tears rushed down her face. I knew right then I was doomed. Dave stood there watching helplessly.

"I am sorry, Isabell. I didn't mean to hurt you. All I wanted was for you to be happy. That was why I came up with those lies," l said, feeling guilty.

"Thanks Stiles, because you only succeeded in hurting me more." I ran my hand through my hair in frustration as her words ate deep into me. I only meant good, and now I have landed myself in a worse situation. " If you had told me the truth about everything, If you had told me how much he hated me, that he planned on leaving for my sake. I would have gone to see him last yesterday, but now I have no hope of ever seeing him again. "

"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

“ Here you are playing dumb with me again." She said in tears, making me concerned that she was crying too much. I froze at her statement. Why would Jake do that? It can’t be true, l concluded within me.

“Who told you Jake left the country?” l asked in disbelief.

“ His mother told me. I actually went there to find out things for myself and have a word with him after the close of school today, but Mrs Leo entertained me and broke the news to me.”

“What?!!” Dave shouted in shock as we both exchanged looks. We ran out of the room like we were being chased to find out things for ourselves.

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Isabella's Point of View

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The speed at which the guys left made me have a second thought that they might not be aware Jake was leaving the country. I instantly felt guilty for attacking Stiles in that way. Should I wait for their return or leave? I decided to stay behind and wait for their arrival.

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Stiles Point of View

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We pulled up at Jake’s place just in time to confirm for ourselves what Isabell told us. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the elegant two-story residence with a perfectly manicured lawn and vibrant flowers lining the walkway. We stepped onto the porch, and I rang the doorbell. The door swung open a moment later revealing Jake’s mum, who was standing in front of us wearing a smile on her face.

“Hello Mrs Leo” we said in unison.

“Hello boys, come in” she stepped aside, inviting us into the house. We made our way towards the sitting room while she followed closely behind, passing through a spacious corridor with cream-colored walls adorned with family photos and elegant artwork. On the left, was the cozy sitting room. The interior was tastefully decorated with plush furniture, soft pastel hues, and vibrant artwork adorning the walls. In the left corner lay a stunning staircase curved upward, its dark wood banister polished to perfection. The air was filled with the sweet scent of freshly baked cookies. The eerie silence that filled the space couldn’t go unnoticed, a silence that seemed to whisper Jake's absence. We settled into the plush cream-colored couch, our eyes fixed on Mrs. Leo, awaiting her confirmation of the shocking news.

“What brought you boys here?” she asked with the same warm smile plastered on her face as she took her seat too. Before we could respond, she quickly cut in “I actually made some cookies, still freshly baked, let me go get some for you guys” she said, leaving no room for interruption. She stood up and made her way to the kitchen. Jake’s mum had an untold passion for cooking. She could spend hours, even a whole day, in the kitchen trying out new recipes.

The guys and l always frequently get here because of Mrs Leo’s warm hospitality and there are always delicious homemade meals giving us the opportunity to eat as much as we can, leaving us feeling very satisfied. She never fails to send us off with generous portions to enjoy later. She often invites us over on her own accord to try out her new recipes and give our honest comments, which we enjoy making. One memorable afternoon stood out in my mind. I can remember we were all sitting in the sitting room with Jake’s dad, engaged in a lively conversation when, all of a sudden, Jake had posed a curious question.

“Dad, what quality got you attracted to mum” he asked loud enough that Mrs Leo heard in the kitchen and let out a rumbled laughter probably amazed by her son’s question to his dad.

“I can’t believe you are asking me this question, son” Mr Leo replied with his eyes wide open as if in bewilderment, shaking his head in wonder. His face lit up with a hearty laugh, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “ One of the qualities that made me fall head over heels was your mum’s extraordinary cooking skills. She is the best cook I've ever met!” he said aloud with pride and clear admiration. “ And it wasn’t just about the food, It was the love she put into every dish. She didn't cook out of obligation; she cooked because it brought her joy. She'd pack lunch for me, always surprising me with new recipes to try. Her passion could be seen, and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life loving her and her savoring her cooking.” At this point, Mrs Leo already left what she was doing as she leaned slightly on the wall demarcating the kitchen from the living room, smiling at her husband’s words like it was the first time she had ever gotten to hear them.

" I vividly remember when she signed up for a culinary competition; she'd make five dishes a day and have me taste each one, seeking my review. At first, I pretended to be annoyed, but in reality, I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it and secretly prayed it would continue." He laughed aloud after his confession, while Mrs. Leo playfully glared at him from across the room. The conversation ended up with both of them being lovey-dovey. Jake and l had to excuse ourselves, and we went upstairs to play video games.

Mr. Leo's past was marked by hardship, having grown up in a dysfunctional home where he had to fend for himself. It was all thanks to Mrs. Leo that he got to experience the joy of homemade meals. The bond between them remained strong after all these years, forged by her unwavering care and nurturing spirit. She had tenderly healed his emotional scars, providing him with everything he had missed in his childhood.

‘How do I know all this?’ You may wonder. I'd heard numerous stories of their past from them over the years. Jake was incredibly lucky to have come from such a loving home, where both parents showered him with love and affection. This made his recent behavior all the more unbelievable.

I on the other hand, came from a dysfunctional home where my parents' issues greatly affected me and still do. l last saw my dad during my early teenage years, and my mum has been struggling with chronic alcoholism. She started her habit all of a sudden and claimed it was a coping mechanism for the heartbreak caused by my dad, but I've always wondered what really happened. I really don’t know what exactly transpired except that which l was made to believe by her. Despite trying multiple times to get my dad's side of the story, he remained tight-lipped, only to later learn about him remarrying.

Initially, I didn't harbor any resentment towards him, but his silence about the past, coupled with his new marriage, left me feeling frustrated and unheard. Meanwhile, my mum became pregnant again by the same person she claimed had hurt her, leaving me feeling more distraught and speechless at the game they were playing with me. It's hard not to wonder if my parents ever considered my well-being or if they had ever thought I deserved a complete and loving home. Why couldn't they put aside their differences for my sake? Unfortunately, their actions led me to believe they didn't consider me worth it, and yet they brought another child into this world, potentially subjecting them to the same struggle. As unfair as it may sound, they really don’t care. Although my dad and I haven't met since he left, we maintain contact through occasional phone calls, usually initiated by me when l need something. He provides for my material needs, but the emotional connection remains absent. My mum, despite making homemade meals for me from time to time, is emotionally unavailable. What I truly yearn for is their love and attention, which seem impossible to get. This void in my life drew me to Jake's home, where l found the love, warmth and nurturing environment I so desperately crave.

Steve is not so different from me as he lost his mother when still in the cradle. He only got to know what she looked like through portraits. His father, still wounded from the loss, unknowingly passed on his pain to his son and, also haunted by the guilt of his wife’s death, swore to never remarry, leaving Steve no room to experience a normal family life. He grew up without the warmth and love of a mother, and the stability of a two-parent household.

To cope with the overwhelming loss of his wife, Steve's dad immersed himself in work, creating a habit that proved impossible to shake even years later. As a result, Steve grew up with a workaholic father who was rarely available, though protective enough that he thought of getting him a tracker and always made sure Steve got everything he needed.

“Here it is” Mrs Leo said, placing a plate filled with cookies on the table. The aroma filled the air, tantalizing our taste buds. I took a bite of the cookie.

“This is yummy!” I commented. Dave took a bite also.

“Yummy is underestimating!” Dave replied with a grin, making me look over at him.

“Then what’s the best word?” l questioned.

“I will think about that when I’m done” he said, and we all erupted into laughter.

Before one could say Jack Robinson, the plate of cookies was empty. I was tempted to ask for more, but trusting she'd give us some to take home, I refrained. She took the plate to the kitchen, politely declining my offer to help, and returned with two packs of cookies. ‘Just as l thought’, I smiled inwardly.

“This is for you, Dave.” She said, extending a pack to him. “And this is yours, Stiles” she said, giving me my portion. “I actually forgot Jake wasn’t around and did more than l should have.” She admitted. “I planned on preserving it before you guys walked in”. At this point, we had almost forgotten our original purpose for coming not until she mentioned it.

“Where did he go?” I asked, hoping to hear a different tale from what Isabell earlier announced.

“He left the country” she said with a hint of sadness which didn’t go unnoticed.

“Why would he make such a decision?” I pressed.

“I actually can’t tell. After the fight between you guys, his father and l tried to have a talk with him, and he said he was leaving”, she explained.

“Did he say when he would be back?” Dave asked.

“He didn’t make that known to me or his dad, but l doubt he will be gone forever, this is his home. l also doubt he will be back so soon.” She replied.

“When did he leave?” I asked.

“He left the house after the fight yesterday” Mrs Leo told us.

"We'll take our leave now," I announced, exiting the house with Dave following closely behind.

As we walked to the car, I couldn't shake off the confusion. Why had Jake taken it this far? Was it truly just about our disagreement, or was something deeper at play? It seemed excessive, considering the issue at hand didn't warrant such drama.

We settled into the car, enveloped in silence for a while. Finally, I started the engine and drove home. We arrived home, stepped out of the car, and headed to my room in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. Upon entering, we were surprised to find Isabell still there. Had she been waiting for good news? Her actions, however, suggested otherwise. She was actually waiting to console us and apologize.

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Isabella's Point of View

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They came back looking broken. I understood how they felt. Stiles' eyes were glistening with tears. I went over to him and hugged him in consolation. I did that for Dave also.

“Stiles, I am sorry for acting that way. I never knew you guys were ignorant about it," I said soothingly.

"I am still at fault, Isabell" he said.

"It's okay."

"No, I lied to you. He was never drunk. He never felt remorse or wanted to fix things with you. Instead, he spoke ill of you, and we had a fight because of the issue," Stiles confessed. I felt heartbroken by his confession and dashed out of the house. I had just run out of the gate before the rain started pouring heavily. My feet were trembling, and the earth began spinning round me. I managed to run a short distance. I fell to the ground on my back. Our memories of being together in the rain came flashing through my mind. I was too weak to stand up or make a move. I closed my eyes as the rain droplets hit against my skin, shivering. I blacked out.

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Stiles Point of View

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Isabell suddenly dashed out of the house, leaving me feeling confused and consumed by guilt. I regretted my earlier outbursts, but my emotions had gotten the better part of me. Dave urged us to go after her, concerned about her emotional state, especially as the rain started pouring down. I swiftly shed my jacket, and we rushed out into the storm. We found Isabell lying on the ground, unconscious. The rain poured down around her, casting a misty veil over her pale face. Her eyelids fluttered shut, and her head tilted back, exposing her vulnerable neck. Dave and I rushed to her side. Alarmed, I quickly lifted her up and took her back home. Back in my room, I laid Isabell on the couch, covering her with a warm blanket, I grabbed a towel to gently pat her face dry.